An overview of the existing body of knowledge on the most widely researched areas of childhood leukaemia was presented and it was argued that a conceptual shift is required to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the problem. This conceptual shift encompassed an ecosystemic approach. This study was conducted within a holistic systemic epistemology. A qualitative approach employing a case study method to provide rich descriptions of the context in which two leukaemia sufferer's symptoms were embedded. / Psychology / M.A. (Psyhcoloy)

Text in Afrikaans / Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Psigonefrologie behels die studie von psigologiese faktore wat 'n rot speel by eindstadiumnierversaking. Nierversaking word beskou as 'n lewensbedreigende siekte, wat die lewensverwogting von die pasient verkort indien hy nie behandeling ontvang nie. Nierversaking kan ingedeet word in drie stadiums: Die pre-dialise, diatise, en oorplantingstadiums. Die onderskeibaorheid von hierdie stadiums is die gevotg von verski lie in mediese behandelingsmetodes. Nie een hiervon bring genesing nie, maar vertig simptome van die uremiese sindroom, verleng die tewensverwagting von die pasient, en is veronderstel om sy lewenskwaliteit te verbeter. DepresS,ie en angs, is algemene simptome wat by nierpasiente voorkom. Die redes hiervoor, is die pasient se psigologiese reaksie teenoor nierversaking, dialise, en/of 'n oorplanting. Verder moet hy ook die newe-effekte van die mediese behandeling trotseer. Aanpassings moet ook gemaak word in terme von beroep~ en sosiate funksionering. Nie net het eindstodiumnierversaking 'n psigososiate impok op die nierposient nie, maar word die gesonde moat ook daardeur be"invtoed. Daarom ervoar meeste egpore gesamentlik die impok von nierversaking op hulle huwelik- en gesinslewe. Vir optimale oanpassing by nierversaking moet egpore sekere oanpassingstoke bemeester, soos om nierversoking as 'n gedeetde probteem te hanteer, oan te pas by die rot von pasient en versorger. die verskillende behoeftes oan nobyheid en afstand tussen pasient en versorger, en die verwisseting in beroepsrolle hanteer, asook effektiewe kommunikasie met mekoar en die mediese span doarstel, en mekaor deurlopend instrumenteel en emosioneel ondersteun ten einde die huweliksverbintenis in stand te hou. Die resultate von hierdie ondersoek dui doarop dat huweliksverondertikes, soos 'n afnome in ontsponningsaktiwiteite en seksuatiteit, en gelykmakende rolle 'n belangrike rot speel om oanpassing by nierversaking te vergemaklik. Daarmee soam is gevind dat godsdiens 'n belangrike oanpossende funksie vir egpore het. Deurgoans speel'n ondersteuningsisteem, wat uit famitie en vriende, onder nierpasiente, die mediese span en 'n sielkundige bestoan 'n vernome rol om die egpoar met oanpassing te help. Uiteindelik blyk dit moonttik te wees vir egpare om hulle huwetiksverhouding in stand te hou, of setfs konstruktief te herstruktureer, asook groter huwelikstevredenheid te ervoar, ondanks die bedreiging von eindstadiumnierversaking. Meeste egpore ervoar die moeilike tydperk dan ook met 'n verdieping in hulle huwelik- en geloofslewe. / Psychonephrology is the study of psychological factors which are evident in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). ESRD is regarded as a life-threatening disease, which shortens the life-expectancy of a patient if he does not receive treatment. ESRD can be divided into three stages: the pre-dialysis, dialysis and transplant stages. These stages are signified by differences in medical treatment methods. None of these leads to a cure but all alle.viate symptoms of the uremic syndrome, increase the life-expectancy of the patient and are supposed to improve his quality of life. Depression and anxiety are general symptoms found in end-stage renal patients. The reasons for this are the patient's psychological reaction to renal disease, dialysis and/or transplant. Patients must also endure the side effects of medical treatment. Adjustment in vocational and social functioning is also evident. ESRD not only has a psycho social impact on the patient but also affects the healthy spouse. This is why most married couples together experience the impact of ESRD in their marital and family life. For optimal adjustment to ESRD couples need to master certain adaptational tasks, such as treating ESRD as a shared problem, adopt the roles of patient and caregiver, manage the various needs of closeness and distance between patient and caregiver and change of career roles, as well as effectively communicating with each other and the medical team, and instrumentally and emotionally support eac~ other in order to maintain the marital bonds. The results of this investigation show that marital variables, such as a decrease in recreation and sexuality and role equality, are important to ease the adjustment to ESRD. It was also found that religion has an important adaptational function for the married couples. A support system of family, friends, other renal patients, the medical team and a psychologist are also important to aid the couples' adjustment. Lastly it should be possible for renal couples to maintain, or even to positively reconstruct their marital relationship, and to experience marital satisfaction in the face of the threat of ESRD. Apparently most couples experience this ordeal as a time of intensification of their married and spiritual life. / Psychology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

This autoethnography explores the phenomenon of marriage after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Capturing as its data, through a series of audio-recorded conversations and journal entries, the first-hand, co-constructed experiences of a married couple, it provides an ‘insider’ and as such, intimate perspective on life together following such an unexpected, disruptive and life-altering event. Situated within ‘a systemic constructionist’ epistemology, it spotlights, in particular, the relational aspects of the post-TBI marriage unfolding over time, rather than just the individual perspectives of each spouse at a single point in time - as most existing studies on the topic do. As a qualitative study, it made allowance for the collection and use of rich, nuanced data so as to do some justice to the complex nature of the topic being studied. David Reiss’ explanatory theory on ‘crisis and the development of the family paradigm’ was applied deductively during the carrying out of a thematic analysis of the data, with the intention of bringing new insights to the understanding of the phenomenon of the post-TBI marriage. Data were also analysed inductively, in that themes emerging from the data itself were also used. A discussion based on the findings of the data analysis was proffered. Based on these findings, recommendations on what issues therapists working from within a family-systems orientation might focus their attention on were made. A recommendation for TBI couples to receive support from early intervention and follow-up services was also made, along with identifying the consequent need for research first to be done on developing and implementing such a service / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the roles and responsibilities of family members change to accommodate the demands of the illness. The current study aimed to explore the experiences of mothers of children with cancer, focusing on their constructed roles within the family context and their social support. A case study design within the qualitative research approach was employed, underpinned by social constructionism as a theoretical framework. Three mothers were selected, using a combination of purposive and snowball sample techniques. Rich descriptive data were collected from three mothers through semi-structured interviews and reflective essays, and analysed using thematic analysis techniques. Results showed that although mothers of children with cancer experience some common themes, there are contextual differences influencing how they construct their stories. The following main themes were identified in the comparative analysis: events leading to the diagnosis, emotions, life changes, the effect of the illness and coping. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

This study examines through autoethnographic inquiry my research journey in the world of childhood cancer. The unfolding research experience eventually led to the focus of this investigation which is exploring stories of coping with childhood cancer in a support group for parents. Using the principles of ethnographic epistemology this study explores the stories of eight parents whose children were diagnosed with cancer and who decided to join the support group for parents called, TOUCH. An overview of the existing body of knowledge on childhood cancer and the family is presented as well as the value of a social support group in parenting a child with cancer. The need of a conceptual shift in order to understand the problem of parenting a child with cancer is propagated. The stories of eight parents within the setting of a social support group are presented. Through the principles of the qualitative method of ethnography the story of the child's cancer is described by means of emerging themes. The coping mechanisms used to cope in this world of uncertainty and ambiguity, follows. Finally the contribution of the support group is discussed in terms of my relationship with the group member, the group members' communication pattern and what was perceived to be helpful to the group member. The eight stories discussed all follow the same pattern. Four hypotheses emerged from the eight stories described and are presented in the final chapter. The strengths and limitations of the study are discussed as well as recommendations for future research. / Psychology / D. Lit. et Phil. (Psychology)

Text in Afrikaans / In this study an instrument is suggested for implementation by the Educational Psychologist to design a support programme, aimed at handling family members' stress where a child has sustained a brain injury. Attention was paid to the phenomenon "brain injured child" to ascertain demands and needs (physical, cognitive, psychological and emotional). Specific note was taken of the toll on each family member in their observance, experience, assistance and giving· meaning to the child. Reference was made to existing support programmes for such family members from the acute care phase to the final acceptance and readjustment of the family. With this study the need for a continuous support programme and the contents of such a programme was addressed. Using these guidelines the Educational Psychologist will be able to prepare the family for the stress possibilities in dealing with the brain injured child. / Met hierdie studie is 'n instrument daargestel vir die ontwerp van 'n hulpverleningsprogram vir gebruik deur die Opvoedkundige Sielkundige. Hierdie hulpprogram het as doel, die hantering van stres, deur die gesin van 'n kind, wat 'n breinbesering opgedoen het. In die studie is aandag gegee aan die tipiese gedrag wat oor die algemeen van 'n breinbeseerde kind verwag kan word. Daar is ook gepoog om te bepaal hoe elke lid van die gesin die breinbeseerde kind beleef, aan hom betekenis gee, en hom probeer help ten opsigte van die eise (fisiek en emosioneel) wat hy stel. Verder is daar gekyk na bestaande hulpverlening (gerig op die hantering van stres) aan die gesinslede van 'n breinbeseerde kind vanaf die akute versorgingsfase tot en met die aanpassing en herorganisering van die gesin. Met hierdie studie is 'n behoefte aan 'n kontinue hulpverleningsprogram en die inhoud van so 'n program by gesinslede aangespreek. Aan die hand van die riglyne sal die Opvoedkundige Sielkundige 'n gesin kan voorberei op die stres wat hulle ten opsigte van die hantering van 'n breinbeseerde kind te wagte kan wees. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

This study examines through autoethnographic inquiry my research journey in the world of childhood cancer. The unfolding research experience eventually led to the focus of this investigation which is exploring stories of coping with childhood cancer in a support group for parents. Using the principles of ethnographic epistemology this study explores the stories of eight parents whose children were diagnosed with cancer and who decided to join the support group for parents called, TOUCH. An overview of the existing body of knowledge on childhood cancer and the family is presented as well as the value of a social support group in parenting a child with cancer. The need of a conceptual shift in order to understand the problem of parenting a child with cancer is propagated. The stories of eight parents within the setting of a social support group are presented. Through the principles of the qualitative method of ethnography the story of the child's cancer is described by means of emerging themes. The coping mechanisms used to cope in this world of uncertainty and ambiguity, follows. Finally the contribution of the support group is discussed in terms of my relationship with the group member, the group members' communication pattern and what was perceived to be helpful to the group member. The eight stories discussed all follow the same pattern. Four hypotheses emerged from the eight stories described and are presented in the final chapter. The strengths and limitations of the study are discussed as well as recommendations for future research. / Psychology / D. Lit. et Phil. (Psychology)

Text in Afrikaans / In this study an instrument is suggested for implementation by the Educational Psychologist to design a support programme, aimed at handling family members' stress where a child has sustained a brain injury. Attention was paid to the phenomenon "brain injured child" to ascertain demands and needs (physical, cognitive, psychological and emotional). Specific note was taken of the toll on each family member in their observance, experience, assistance and giving· meaning to the child. Reference was made to existing support programmes for such family members from the acute care phase to the final acceptance and readjustment of the family. With this study the need for a continuous support programme and the contents of such a programme was addressed. Using these guidelines the Educational Psychologist will be able to prepare the family for the stress possibilities in dealing with the brain injured child. / Met hierdie studie is 'n instrument daargestel vir die ontwerp van 'n hulpverleningsprogram vir gebruik deur die Opvoedkundige Sielkundige. Hierdie hulpprogram het as doel, die hantering van stres, deur die gesin van 'n kind, wat 'n breinbesering opgedoen het. In die studie is aandag gegee aan die tipiese gedrag wat oor die algemeen van 'n breinbeseerde kind verwag kan word. Daar is ook gepoog om te bepaal hoe elke lid van die gesin die breinbeseerde kind beleef, aan hom betekenis gee, en hom probeer help ten opsigte van die eise (fisiek en emosioneel) wat hy stel. Verder is daar gekyk na bestaande hulpverlening (gerig op die hantering van stres) aan die gesinslede van 'n breinbeseerde kind vanaf die akute versorgingsfase tot en met die aanpassing en herorganisering van die gesin. Met hierdie studie is 'n behoefte aan 'n kontinue hulpverleningsprogram en die inhoud van so 'n program by gesinslede aangespreek. Aan die hand van die riglyne sal die Opvoedkundige Sielkundige 'n gesin kan voorberei op die stres wat hulle ten opsigte van die hantering van 'n breinbeseerde kind te wagte kan wees. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Voorligting)